Wishin Iwas Fishin took top honours in the opening leg of the Battleground Late Closing Event for claiming trotters on Sunday night at Pompano Park.
The nine-year-old gelded son of Lockkeeper, trained by Brian Hauck for Haucks Racing Stable, came from dead last in his sextet for Jason Dillander to score a narrow decision — a neck — over Go Jesse Go, driven by Rick Plano. Sand Wyndham, teamed up with Joe Pavia Jr., finished third, just a half-length away while Overwhat and Loco Caballo picked up the minor awards. The mile was clocked in 1:57.4.
In a race marked by five lead changes, Northern Inferno showed quick speed leaving with Go Jesse Go away in good order from the rail with Loco Caballo next.
But before the dust settled around the opening turn, Go Jesse Go left the pocket and forged into the lead at the opening panel, timed in :28.3...but not for long as Loco Caballo followed Go Jesse Go and took command with a lap to go and marched over to the half in a hot :56.4.
On the backside three-eighths out, Sand Wyndham was out and driving from fifth and forcing the hand of Go Jessie Go, the latter leaving the pocket again and forging to the lead a few steps past the third station timed in 1:26.4.
With four across the track at mid-stretch, it was a cavalry charge to the wire with Wishin Iwas Fishin the photo finish winner.
After the race, Dillander said simply, “This horse has one good brush and, tonight, it was timed just right.
For Wishin Iwas Fishin, it was his initial win of the year in five starts and worth $6.00 to his faithful $2.00 followers.
(Pompano Park)